Door's open: Former London mayor Dianne Haskett emerges from a meeting at her former law firm yesterday. Haskett was back in town yesterday meeting with friends and advisers about the possibility of her return to politics. She decided to seek the Tory nomination in London-North-Centre. (Dave Chidley The London Free Press)

Former London mayor Dianne Haskett will announce today she's seeking the federal Conservative nomination in London-North-Centre.

Supporters were trying to keep the news under wraps until a reception for her today, but the buzz about her candidacy was so strong yesterday that it was confirmed last night.

"The phone has been ringing off the hook from people offering to help," said Ted Wernham, a former London city councillor who said he will be lending a helping hand.

Dale Mackness, another member of Haskett's team, sent an e-mail to the media last night confirming the the 5 p.m. reception at the Polish Hall at 554 Hill St. will be an opportunity for Haskett "to greet old and new friends and to share with them her hope to be considered" for the nomination.

The federal riding of London-North-Centre was recently vacated by Liberal Joe Fontana when he decided to run for mayor in the municipal election.

Haskett arrived in London yesterday for meetings and attended a Mission Services of London dinner last night.

"This opportunity just came up in the last three days after a round of telephone conversations," she said, declining to be more specific. "It's good to be back in London."

A nomination meeting quickly called for Oct. 24 fuelled speculation Prime Minister Stephen Harper could call the byelection as early as Monday.

Haskett visited her old law office on Fullarton Street yesterday and looked relaxed and confident.

"I'm here to talk to friends and advisers," she said.

About 40 minutes later, she emerged from the Menear Worrad and Associates law building, retrieved a satchel from a white Cadillac with Washington, D.C., licence plates and returned inside.

"I'll be able to tell you more (today)," she said again.

On Monday, the riding association president set the nomination date for Oct. 24 -- a sign a hurry-up byelection call may be in the offing.

The Tory nomination in the riding already has one contender: Londoner Tom Weihmayr, who has served on the riding executive. He said he was pleased by the possibility of competing with Haskett.

"Whenever there's more than one option, the people of London-North-Centre would win," he said. "It would be a challenge, of course, but whenever there's a choice, it's good for the people of London."

Despite the former mayor's local political experience, Weihmayr said he wouldn't be intimidated by Haskett.

"She has a long history in London, (but) she hasn't been in the city for a number of years," he said.

Haskett, 51, has spent the last six years working in and around Washington, D.C., largely as a policy adviser and speech writer.

Haskett -- who prided herself on methodical, long-term planning as mayor -- as much as predicted this step in 2000, when she left London.

She told The Free Press she expected to return in about five years and her life would "include political leadership in the federal arena."

In other municipal and federal elections -- with rumours Fontana might be relinquishing his federal seat -- Haskett's name arose often.

She was at the same time one of London's most popular and unpopular mayors.

Haskett was adored and vilified during her two terms as mayor, but even in the most tempestuous moments, which included a slap from the Ontario human rights tribunal in which she and the city were fined $5,000 for her refusal to issue a Gay Pride proclamation, she won re-election by a two-to-one margin over her nearest rival.

DIANNE HASKETT

Age: 51

Background: Born and raised in London; practised law with firm Haskett Menear and Associates in downtown London

Family: Husband Jacek (Jack), graphic designer; daughter Annie

Local politics: London mayor, 1994-2000; board of control, 1991-1994

Claims to fame while mayor: Kick-started $100 million in downtown renewal, including new Central Library, new Covent Garden Market, John Labatt Centre. During her tenure, London Economic Development Corp. began; two years of municipal tax freezes

Controversy: Was head of fractious council and at the centre of an Ontario Human Rights Commission complaint when she refused to make a Gay Pride proclamation in 1995. She and City of London were fined $5,000. In protest, Haskett withdrew from campaigning for the last two weeks of 1997 election run, which she nevertheless won by a 2-1 margin.

Where she's been and what she's been doing since leaving London:

- Volunteer adviser to U.S. Republican Senator Elizabeth Dole

- Has worked with two D.C.-area law firms and specialized in business, immigration and estate- planning work.

- Passed the Washington, D.C., bar exam in 2005

- Is a member of the board of trustees for the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy in Washington, D.C.

Quotes:

"I have a sense that in my future I'm meant to continue in political leadership and that this period of time, presumably about five years, is a hiatus period. I feel led to a life in the future which I feel will include political leadership in the federal arena." -- Haskett Oct. 19, 2000, as her family leaves for Washington D.C. area.

"I'm here to talk to friends and advisers to consider the nomination for London-North-Centre and I will be making my decision known (today)." -- Haskett yesterday in London